The two oldest companies on this year’s Fast 50 list — both founded in 1984 — have leaders who have garnered wise business advice for companies across many industries in Tampa Bay.

Finding and retaining the right employees, nurturing client relationships and determining when to enter new markets all are things that have helped DataComm Networks Inc. and Norman & Co. Inc. succeed all these years and see continued revenue growth — 28 years after taking root.

DataComm Networks Inc.

• Based in Tampa

• 46 percent revenue growth from 2009 to 2011

• Network technology and managed services

• No. of employees: 38

When told his company saw 46 percent growth since 2009, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Travis Norris said, “As old as we are, I’ll take it. There aren’t a lot of companies growing that way.”

Brian C. Boyer, president and CEO, acquired the company in March 2008 from his father and business partner, who started the company in 1984.

The service-based company knows the better the service, the better the profit. “We’re not a manufacturer of any goods here,” said Norris. “So what we do sell is our people, and that seems to be a good growth strategy for us.”

Hiring the right people and “making quick decisions on the wrong ones” has been key, Norris said. Systems analysts make up the bulk of the staff.

“Our employee longevity is unmatched,” Boyer said, and estimates the average retention is 10 years.

The company began by building jacketed cable assemblies for mainframe computer systems, and now serves a variety of clients — from banking to health care — in managed service. For example, when the financial sector experienced turmoil, Boyer said DataComm made a “concerted effort” to branch out to other markets.

Local customers include Bay Cities Bank, American Momentum, C1 Bank, Glazer Children’s Museum, the Tampa Museum of Art and more.

Norman and Co. Inc.

• Based in Oldsmar

• Automobile aftermarket third-party administration

• 40 percent revenue growth from 2009 to 2011

• No. of employees: 19

Like many others, Norman Ferenz came from a Northern state to plant his business in Florida because he didn’t want to experience any more winters.

Ferenz, president of Norman & Co., founded the company in 1984 in Cleveland and moved to Florida in 1987.

The company is a third-party administrator of automobile insurance for new and used car dealers. Protection includes mechanical breakdown, vehicle service contracts, guaranteed auto protection and more. His clients are nationwide and include recreational vehicle, marine and motorcycle dealers.

The company works with about 250 independent agents around the country.

When it comes to new products, they could be entertaining four or five new products at any given time, but wait to strike before launching something new.

“We don’t vary much from what we do,” Ferenz said. “But as the market demands it, we’re on top of most things.”

The automobile industry being a volatile one, Ferenz saw many of his competitors fall off the map in October 2008 through 2009. If not for its tenure, operating systems in place, net worth, capital and surplus, Norman & Co. could have fallen with them.

“I don’t know anybody in the automobile after-market business that didn’t have a lot of red paper,” he said.

Relationships and having “exceptional” administration are vital. “Our IT, in many cases, is more sophisticated than my insurance companies’,” Ferenz said.

Having well-trained customer relations employees is important, as is always having a human being there to speak with customers on the phone.

“I absolutely insist upon that,” he said.

A few of the well-known companies Norman & Co. works with include Lloyd’s of London and Allstate.